Wrench winch



March 3, 1964 E. A. ELIASON WRENCH WINCH Filed March 26, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet ATTU RN EYS March 3, 1964 E. A. ELIASON WRENCH WINCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 26, 1962 v Ea 27/060 BY flzwwra.

ATTD RN EYS E. A. ELIASON WRENCH WINCH March 3, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March,'26, 1962 p2 INVENTOR. Edward 4 f/vsa/r BY A/1fi United States Patent 3,122,952 WRENCH WINCH Edward A. Eliason, 4507 64th Ave. N., Minneapolis, Minn. Filed Mar. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 182,311 2 Claims. (CI. 8153) The present invention relates to a device for applying force to pipe wrenches when tightening or loosening pipe thread joints.

The device also includes a spring clip or retainer for holding a pipe wrench on a pipe while being actuated by the winch of the present invention.

The invention also includes a ring which holds the wrench to a pipe fitting when the wrench is being actuated by the winch of the present invention.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a device for applying force to pipe wrenches and to eliminate the necessity of providing extra handles for pipe wrenches as has been the common experience in the past.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a winch tool for attachment to pipe wrenches which can be easily and quickly attached to pipe wrenches.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tool that is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and wherein the tool is light in weight and Wherein the need of extending wrench handles with pipes to get greater force is eliminated, and wherein the space needed to use the tool of the present invention is little more than that required for the wrenches and may be used where extensions of wrench handles would be prohibited, and wherein the wrench winch of the invention can be used by one man where more than one is required to do the same job without it, and wherein the tool can be adapted to wrenches used on any size pipes.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be fully apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the wrench Winch of the present invention with parts broken away and partially in section,

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view,

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side elevational view with parts broken away and in section,

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view,

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 3,

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating certain constructional details of the present invention,

FIGURE 8 is a view generally similar to FIGURE 1, but illustrating a modification and illustrating the use of the wrench winch with a fitting ring where a wrench is applied to a pipe fitting, and with parts broken away,

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9--9 of FIGURE 8,

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 10-40 of FIGURE 8,

FIGURE 11 is a detailed view of the fitting ring,

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of the spring clip or retainer,

FIGURE 13 is a sectional view taken on the line 13-13 of FIGURE 11, and

FIGURE 14 is a sectional view taken on the line 14-14 of FIGURE 13.

Referring in detail to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGURES 1 through 7 of the drawings, the numerals 10 and 11 indicate a pair of pipes which are arranged in threaded engagement with a coupling 12,

3,122,952 Patented Mar. 3, 1964' ventional pipe wrenches which are arranged in engagement with the pipes 10 and 11. The wrenches 13 and 13' each have the same construction so that a description of one will suflice for a description of both. As shown in FIGURE 5 for example, each Wench 13 and 13' includes a handle 14 which is provided with an opening or aperture 15, FIGURE 7, and on one end of the handle 14 there is a stationary jaw 16. The numeral 17 indicates an actuator for a movable body member 18, and the movable member 18 is provided with the usual teeth or jaw portion There is further provided spring members 20, FIG- URE l2, and the spring members 2% have portions 21 that surround the pipes 10 and 11, and the spring members have portions 22 engaging the member 18 of the wrenches.

According to the present invention there is provided a winch which is indicated generally by the numeral 23, and the winch 23 includes a lever 24 which has a pair of spaced parallel arms 25 secured thereto in any suitable manner, as for example by means of welding. A pin or bolt 26 extends through the arm 25 for a purpose to be later described.

There is further provided an operator 27, and the operator 27 includes a bar 28 which has one end connected to the pin 26 and the operator 27 further includes a side member 29 which is also connected to the pin 26. The side member 29 includes a portion 30 which is secured to or formed integral with the bar 28, FIGURE 1.

The numeral 31 indicates a wheel which is positioned between the arms 25, and the wheel 31 is mounted on the pin 26. The wheel 31 is provided with an annular groove 32 in its outer periphery, and the numeral 33 indicates a cable or line which is arranged in engagement with the grove 32. The inner end of the cable 33 is anchored as at 35 to the wheel 31. There is provided on the wheel 31 a plurality of spaced apart teeth 34, FIGURE 3.

As shown in the drawings, a U-shaped guide member 36 has side sections 37 connected to the arms 25 by means of securing elements 38, and the guide member 36 further includes a web or connecting portion 39. The web portion 39 is provided with an aperture or cutout 40 for the projection therethrough of a portion of the cable 33, and a hook 41 is suitably affixed to an end of the cable 33. The hook 41 is arranged in engagement with an opening 15 in the end of a Wrench 13, and the hook 41 is retained or maintained connected in the opening 15 by means of a safety pin or clip 42, FIGURE 3.

As shown in FIGURE 3, there is provided a bracket 43 which is arranged in engagement with the handle of the wrench 13', and the bracket 43 includes side portions 44 and 45 as well as end portions 46 and 47, the end portion 47 being provided with an arcuate section 48 for snugly receiving therein a curved end portion of the wrench handle. There is further provided a set screw 51 which extends through the portion 45 and is connected to a movable plate 52 which is adapted to clamp against the wrench handle.

The numeral 53 indicates a stop member that is secured to the lever 2.4 as by welding. The numeral 55 indicates a dog or pawl which is pivotally mounted between the arms 25 by means of a pin 56, and a spring member 57 is arranged in engagement with the pawl 55.

As shown in the drawings, there is provided a release member which is indicated generally by the numeral 58, and the release member 58 is pivotally connected to the operator 27 by means of a pivot pin 62. The release member 58 includes first and second angularly arranged sections 5'9 and 6t and a finger 61 is secured as by welding to the section so, and the finger 61 is adapted to selective- 1y engage aportion of the pawl 55 for moving the pawl 55 out of engagement with the teeth34. A spring member 66 is arranged in engagement with the angularly arranged section 60.

. The numeral ,63 indicates a retainer which helps to remm or maintain the cable 33 in the groove :32 of the wheel 31.

Thebracket 43 has a swivel jointed consisting in a pin 43' and a collar 43" and the swivel joint ,54 connects the bracket 43 to the lever 24. The hole through the collar 43" tapers outwardly on each side permitting swivel of the pin 43.

rom the foregoing, and with particular reference -to FIGURES '1 through 7 of the drawings, it will be seen t a he h been pr de a W nch in h wh h i pecially suitable for use in tightening or ,locsening pipes such as the pipes 10 and 11 which are arranged in threaded engagement with C uplings such as the couplings 1 2. It is to be noted that with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, one of the wrenches suchas the wrench 13 is adapted to have its jaws 19 and loengagea pipe such as the pipe 10, while the other wrench 13 has its jaws 19 and 16 engage the other pipe 11. The Wrenches 13 and 13' are arranged in opposed relation with respect .to each other. That is, considering FIG- URE 1 for example, one of the wrenches faces in one direction whilethe other wrench faces in theopposite direction. The spring members 20 are connected to the body member 18 of the wrenches as shown in the drawings, and the wrenches are of conventional construction and it is to be understood that the members 18 are adapted to be moved by means of the actuators 17.

The winch 23 includes the previously described parts and one end of the cable 33 has the hook 41 which is connected to the handle opening of the wrench 13. The bracket .43 is maintained connected to the other Wrench 13 by screwing in on the set screw 51, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 for example. The swivel joint 64 connects the bracket 43 to the lever 24, and it will be seen that to operate the winch, the lever 24- is manually moved so as to exert the desired action on the wrenches which are arranged in gripping engagement with the pipes. When it is desired to operate the winch at a faster speed, the bar 28 of the unit 27 is gripped and the bar 28 is moved instead of moving the lever 24 and this insures that the winch can be operated in a more rapid manner.

The hook 41 is maintained connected to the opening 15 by means of the safety clip or pin 42. The retainer 63 helps maintain the cable 33 in its proper position in the groove 32. The recess 40 in the guide member 36 has the cable 33 extending therethrough.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes. 7

The spring members hold the wrenches onto the pipe, and the spring can be placed in position on the pipe by finger pressure and the ends of the springs can be spread to receive the jaws of the wrench.

There is also provided a pawl lever for releasing the ratchet lever to bring it to the position where it lifts the pawls when the cable is completely wound up. The swivel joint 64 gives sufiicient movement in all directions and is easy to make.

The device of the present invention can operate at two speeds, that is, a faster speed is possible by holding the main lever 24 in approximately horizontal position and working the ratchet lever 28 with the other hand. When greater force is required resulting in slower speed the main lever 24 is used. Thus, the lever 28 is actuated to make up the pipe at a fast speed.

The pawl 55 is urged into engagement with the teeth 34 by means of the spring 57. The section 59 defines a a pawl lever, and the stop 53 is adapted to selectively strike the wrench handle to the bracket 43. The pin 42 prevents the book from becoming accidentally disengaged from .the opening 15. The cable guide 36 maintains the cable at its proper position on the wheel and holds the Winch in line with the direction ofpull. The wrench handle holder or bracket 3 has the screw 51 so that the member 43 can be clamped to the wrenchha'ndle as shown in the drawings, and this makes it possible to mount it on the wrench handle either .way as will be required when screwing the pipe in or out and also when .the wrench is in a hanging position the winch will not fall off. Since most wrench handles are made .with an opening such as the opening 15, the cable is provided the hook .41 for fastening to the wrench handle opening 15. The pawl 55 .on the main 'lever 24, and the pawl 58011 the ratchet lever 25? are released with projections ontopposite levers. The stop 53 [is fastened to :the member 24.

In FIGURES 8 through 14 .of the drawings,.there is illustrateda modification wherein the pair of twrenchesare indicated as at 13A and 13B, and the numeral '70 indicates a section of stationary pipe which is adapted to have afitting such as an elbow 71connected thereto, and the pipe '70 includes a threaded .end portion .as indicated by the numeral 72, FIGURE 10. The numeral 73 indicates a fitting ring which is shown to include an L-shaped :base piece '74, and the base piece 74 is adapted to receive or engage a portion of the movable jaw member 18 of the wrench 1313. The base piece 7.4 includes first and second sections or portions 75 and 7,6 that are arranged at right angles with respect to .each other. A shoulder 77 is secured to or formed integral with the section 76, and the shoulder 77 has an aperture or .bore 78 therein, and the numeral 79 indicates a shank or stem extended through the bore 78, there being-acoil spring 30 circumposed on the shank 79, and the coil springi8tl abuts astop element 81 on the end of the shank 79, FIGURE '10. The numeral 82 indicates a fingerpiece which is aflixed to the shank 79, and the finger-piece 82 includes ,a straight portion :83 which is secured to or formed integral with the shank 7.9, and the fingerpiece :82 further includes .a fingerengaging portion 84.

The fitting ring 73 further includes a pair of semicircular or arcuate segments 85 and '86 whichare hingedly connected together as at 87. A keeper 88 is formed integral with anend of the first segment 85, and the first segment 85 is secured to or formed integral .with the portion 75 of the base piece 74. The keeper 88 has a notch or slot 89 therein, FIGURE 14. There is provided in an end of the second segment 86 a slot 90 which is adapted to receive the keeper 88, and the slots 90 define on op-' posite sides thereof spaced parallel fingers 91, and the fingers 91 have registering grooves 92 therein. The nu meral 93 indicates a pin which is movably mounted in the grooves 92, and .a spring element 94 has a portion thereof affixed to the segment 86 as at 95 and 96, and the spring element 94 is provided with a loopedportion 97 which terminates in a straight portion 93, and the straight? portion 98 is secured to the pin 93.

There is provided in the segments 85 and 86 a plurality of recesses or chambers 99, and coil springs 1&0 are positioned in the recesses 99, FIGURE 10. Hook elements 101 have portions 102 engaged by the springs 100, and the hook elements 101 include transverse portions 103 which are adapted to engage the threaded portion 72 of the pipe 70.

It will therefore be seen that with further reference to the arrangement shown in FIGURES 8 through 14, that the present invention can also be used in manipulating or handling fittings such as the elbow 71 which is to be screwed onto or off of a pipe such as the pipe 70, and as shown in FIGURE 10 for example, the elbow 71 has a portion arranged in threaded engagement with the threaded portion 72 of the pipe 70. The fitting ring 73 has its base piece 74 arranged in engagement with the movable jaw member 18 of the wrench 13B, and the tingerpiece 82 coacts with the portion 75 and 76 to maintain the movable member 18 in contiguous relation with respect to the fitting ring 73 in the desired manner. The spring 80 serves to exert pressure on the fingerpiece 82 so as to bias the fingerpiece into clamping engagement with respect to the movable jaw member 18 whereby the parts will be maintained in their proper assembled position. When it is desired to disengage the base piece 74 from the movable jaw member 18, the user need only engage the fingerpiece 84 and turn it parallel with the movable jaw member 18 whereby the movable jaw member and base piece 74 can be separated or disengaged.

The portion 75 has the segment 85 secured thereto or formed integral therewith, and the segment 86 is hingedly connected to the segment 85 as at 87 so that when the segments 86 and 85 are in closed position as for example as shown in FIGURE 9, the pair of arcuate segments 85 and 86 define a circular ring which engages the pipe 70 contiguous to an end portion of the fitting or elbow 71. When the segments 35 and 86 are in closed position relative to each other, the keeper 88 has its slot 89 engaged by the retaining pin 93, and this pin 93 is urged into holding or locking engagement with respect to the slot 89 of the keeper 88 by means of the spring 94. The spring 94 has the looped portion 97 on one end thereof so that by manually engaging the looped portion 97, the inherent resiliency of the spring 94 can be overcome in order to raise the pin 93 slightly in the grooves 92 whereby the segment 86 can be hinged away from the segment 85, as for example as shown in FIGURE 14.

As shown in FIGURE for example, the fitting ring 73 is held in position against the fitting 71 by hooks 101 which include portions 102 and 103 which are arranged angularly with respect to each other. The hooks catch the threads on the pipe and pull against springs 100 when the fitting ring 73 is moved along pipe when the fitting 71 is turned on. As shown in FIGURE 10 the portion 182 of the hooks 101 is at an angle with the pipe 70 permitting the hooks to slip threads when pulled to its limit of travel.

It will be seen that according to the present invention there has been provided a wrench winch or device which is for tightening and loosening threaded pipes when joined with a coupling, when screwed into pipe fittings, or when screwed into a boiler or other equipment. The primary object of the present invention is to apply force by the use of a lever and winch to a pair of pipe wrenches, as for example when the wrenches are applied to two separate pipes which are joined together with a coupling, and the pipes may be loosened or tightened by properly actuating the lever and Winch.

The operation of the wrench winch is as follows. The wrench winch is clamped to the end of one wrench handle which is applied to pull down on a pipe fastened in a vice or is otherwise held stationary. The other wrench is applied to pull up on another pipe which is joined to the stationary pipe by means of a coupling. The wrench winch is a lever with a fulcrum a short distance from one end at which point it is clamped to the stationary wrench handle but having a swivel to permit a rocking motion of the lever. A winch actuated by a shorter lever is located in the short end of the main lever. A cable from this winch is connected to the wrench handle which pulls up. When the main lever is held in a horizontal position, and the winch is actuated by means of the short lever, the wrench is pulled to tighten or loosen the pipe whichever Way it is being turned.

When the winch is at the limit of its travel, the winch is released by bringing its actuating lever to the limit of its travel and it disengages two pawls which permits the wrench handle to drop to the starting position.

When more power is needed than can be exerted with the winch, the main lever is permitted to go toward a vertical position when actuating the Winch. When forcing the main lever down a powerful force is exerted on the wrench handle. The operating speed with the winch is faster than with the lever thereby providing two speeds.

This same procedure is adapted to be used when tightening or loosening a pipe screwed to a boiler or other equipment or when tightening or loosening a fitting when screwed to a pipe.

In order to hold wrenches when applied to pipes in a vertical position, or when applied to the underside of a horizontal pipe to keep the same from falling ofi, a spring is adapted to be used for clamping the jaw of the wrench to the pipe.

To hold the wrench when applied to pipe fittings, a fitting ring such as the fitting ring 73 which may also be designated as a wrench to fitting holder, is used.

Some of the advantages of the tool of the present invention are as follows. It is extremely simple, inexpensive and easy to manufacture, it is light in weight and eliminates the need of extending wrench handles with pipes to get greater force as is commonly done. The space needed to use the tool is little more than that required for Wrenches and may be used where extensions of wrench handles would be prohibited. The wrench winch can be used by one man Where more than one is required to do the same job without it, and the tool of the present invention may be adapted to wrenches used on any size pipe.

Although the invention herein described is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and that the invention is not to be limited to the details of construction herein described other than as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the character described, first and second wrenches each including a handle provided with an opening therein, a stationary jaw on an end of the handle, each wrench further including a movable body member provided with a jaw, spring members having clips engaging said body members, a Winch comprising a lever having a pair of arms secured to an end thereof, a pin extending through said arms, an operator including a bar having one end connected to said pin, a side member afiixed to said bar and connected to said pin, a wheel positioned between said arms and mounted on said pin, there being an annular groove in the outer periphery of said wheel, a cable engaging said groove and having one end anchored to said wheel, a plurality of spaced apart teeth on said wheel, a U-shaped guide member having side sections connected to said arms, said guide members further including a web portion provided with an aperture for the projection therethrough of said cable, a hook on the end of the cable for engaging an opening in the handle of the first wrench, a bracket engaging the handle of the second wrench and said bracket having a swivel joint thereon, a movable plate in said bracket having a set screw arrange/:1 in engagement therewith, a stop member connected to said bar, a stop piece aflixed to said arms, a spring pressed pawl pivotally mounted between said arms for selectively engaging the teeth on said wheel, a release member pivotally connected to said bar and side member and said release member comprising first and second angularly arranged sections, and a finger secured to said second section for selectively engaging said pawl.

2. In a device of the character described, first and second wrenches each including a handle provided with an opening therein, a stationary jaw on an end of the handle, each wrench further including a movable body member provided with a jaw, spring members having clips engaging said body members, a winch comprising a lever having a pair of arms secured to an end thereof, a pin extend-ing through said arms, an operator including a bar having one end connected to said pin, a side member affixed to said bar and connected to said pin, a wheel positioned between said arms and mounted on said pin, there being an annular groove in the outer periphery of said wheel, a cable engaging said groove and having one end anchored to said wheel, a plurality of spaced apart teeth on said wheel, a U-shaped guide member having side sections connected to said arms, said guide members further including a web portion provided with an aperture for the projection .therethrough of said cable, a hook on the end of the cable for engaging an opening in the handle of the first Wrench, a bracket engaging the handle of the second wrench and said bracket having a swivel joint thereon, a' movable plate in said bracket having a set screw arranged in engagement therewith, a stop member connected to said bar, a stop piece arfixed to said arms, a spring pressed pawl pivotally mounted between said arms for selectively engaging the teeth on said wheel, a release member pivotally connected to said bar and side member and said release member comprising first and second angulary arranged sections, and a finger secured to said second section for selectively engaging said pawl, a fitting ring including an L-shaped base piece for engaging said movable body jaw, said base piece including first and second sections arranged at right angles with respect to each other, an apertured shoulder integral with said second section of the base piece, a shank extending through said shoulder and said last named shank having a coil spring thereon, a fingerpiece affixed to said shank; said fitting ring further including first and second arcuate segments, a pivot pin hingedly connecting said segments together, said first segment being, aflixed to the first section .of the base piece, a keep r on said first segment, and said keeper having a notch therein, there being a slotin said second segment for receiving said keeper, said slot defining spaced apart fingers on opposite sides thereof, said fingers having registering grooves therein, a pin movably mounted in said grooves, a spring element having a portion thereof afiixed to said second segment and said spring element including a looped portion terminating in an end section which is affixed to said' last named pin, there being a plurality of spaced apart recesses in said segments, coil springs arranged in said recesses, and L-shaped wire hook elements engaging said last named coil springs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS V Mullinax Dec. 1, 1885 378,299 Finch Feb. 21, 1888 421,020 Thayer Feb. 11, 1890 443,312 Bode Dec. 23, 1890 489,822 Martin Jan. 10, 1893 1,386,220 Anderson Aug. 2, 1921 2,669,426 Anglemyer Feb. 16, 1954 

1. IN A DEVICE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, FIRST AND SECOND WRENCHES EACH INCLUDING A HANDLE PROVIDED WITH AN OPENING THEREIN, A STATIONARY JAW ON AN END OF THE HANDLE, EACH WRENCH FURTHER INCLUDING A MOVABLE BODY MEMBER PROVIDED WITH A JAW, SPRING MEMBERS HAVING CLIPS ENGAGING SAID BODY MEMBERS, A WINCH COMPRISING A LEVER HAVING A PAIR OF ARMS SECURED TO AN END THEREOF, A PIN EXTENDING THROUGH SAID ARMS, AN OPERATOR INCLUDING A BAR HAVING ONE END CONNECTED TO SAID PIN, A SIDE MEMBER AFFIXED TO SAID BAR AND CONNECTED TO SAID PIN, A WHEEL POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID ARMS AND MOUNTED ON SAID PIN, THERE BEING AN ANNULAR GROOVE IN THE OUTER PERIPHERY OF SAID WHEEL, A CABLE ENGAGING SAID GROOVE AND HAVING ONE END ANCHORED TO SAID WHEEL, A PLURALITY OF SPACED APART TEETH ON SAID WHEEL, A U-SHAPED GUIDE MEMBER HAVING SIDE SECTIONS CONNECTED TO SAID ARMS, SAID GUIDE MEMBERS FURTHER INCLUDING A WEB PORTION PROVIDED WITH AN APERTURE FOR THE PROJECTION THERETHROUGH OF SAID CABLE, A HOOK ON THE END OF THE CABLE FOR ENGAGING AN OPENING IN THE HANDLE OF THE FIRST WRENCH, A BRACKET ENGAGING THE HANDLE OF THE SECOND WRENCH AND SAID BRACKET HAVING A SWIVEL JOINT THEREON, A MOVABLE PLATE IN SAID BRACKET HAVING A SET SCREW ARRANGED IN ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH, A STOP MEMBER CONNECTED TO SAID BAR, A STOP PIECE AFFIXED TO SAID ARMS, A SPRING PRESSED PAWL PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BETWEEN SAID ARMS FOR SELECTIVELY ENGAGING THE TEETH ON SAID WHEEL, A RELEASE MEMBER PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID BAR AND SIDE MEMBER AND SAID RELEASE MEMBER COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND ANGULARLY ARRANGED SECTIONS, AND A FINGER SECURED TO SAID SECOND SECTION FOR SELECTIVELY ENGAGING SAID PAWL. 